Do the Eyes Really Have It?
Sonic 4 is being touted at the hedgehog’s return to his original classic form. He’ll be in 2.5D, in colorful environments, picking up where he left off from Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
But for some, that’s not enough.
For this story, we bring your attention to this petition, a petition for Sega to allow the option of a more classic Sonic to be represented in Sonic 4. Since the announcement, some fans have criticized that Sonic’s design looks familiar to the model present in Sonic Unleashed, green eyes and all.
“We welcome the recent announcement that, after 16 years, Sonic 3 & Knuckles (arguably the pinnacle of the Sonic the Hedgehog series) is to get a sequel in the form of the downloadable game, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I,” the petition reads. “We are happy to see Sonic returning to his roots, but one detail in this retro revival is something that we cannot agree with – the use of Sonic’s new design.”
But the preamble soon cites continuity concerns in the desire to bring Sonic back to his previous 16-bit self.
“if this game truly is to be the sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles, we feel that it should feature the same Sonic design as was featured in Sonic 3 & Knuckles and its predecessors,” the petition reads.
To be clear, the petition does not ask for a total replacement, merely the option for classic Sonic to be played in the game–”as downloadable content, unlockable content, or through any other means that you see fit,” as it reads.
As of the time of this article’s publication, the number of signatures on the petition stands in the high 300s. Similar petitions pop up all the time for games, and rarely are they noticed, perhaps in this case with good reason–should fans really be concerned with how Sonic looks? Does a green-eyed Sonic truly take away the classic nature Sonic 4 is pushing?
The petitioners argue, on a purely retro basis, that it does matter.
“Without the original design, this might as well be Sonic Advance 4 or Sonic Rush 3,” the piece continues.
After originally singing the praises of a retro revival for Sonic, it’s matters like these that are giving some of the fan base more cautious optimism. But all good things must sometimes evolve. And so we ask you–is a classic Sonic truly needed for Sonic 4 to appease classic gamers, or is this nitpicking? Debate away in our discussion area below–we may do a proper poll on the matter next week.
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lol! I just find this whole situation kinda funny and I even grew up with old school Sonic. Yes, I was a bit disappointed, but who cares. The gameplay looks nice from what I see, so I’m not really that concerned with the design.
Now, I wonder what would happen if they DID reveal classic Sonic on Feb 4 instead of modern Sonic…..
I bet you guys would STILL be complaining b/c “Sonic’s fat (which isn’t true. He just has a small, round body) and he has black eyes!!!!”
Trust me, either way BOTH sides of the community would complain about the design no matter what. So, in the words of what a SEGA employee once said, “You can’t please everyone”.
@ Cryssore (AKA Soniman32):
FYI, this was not made by the same guy who tried to make that SATAM movie.
It started on Sonic Retro, actually.
Do your research.
@GREG THE CAT
Wow…just wow, you deduced al of that from 3 seconds of gameplay footae, just..amazing. Way to instantly hope for failure when only 3 seconds was shown.
Seriously, WTF?
And for the record AKR was working with, or at least supporting the dude who made the petition.
I made it perfectly clear that I was NOT the one who started this petition, I only supported it. Nothing more. Second, the issue was never focused on just the green eyes, its the character model itself. Cause in my fan film design, Sonic was a composite of both his classic and modern look. However, I did some thinking over the weekend and realize how ridiculous it was for me to rant about a character design. As long as the gameplay is good, thats all that matters.
Am I still disappointed how Sega essentially mislead people with false advertising for 6 months? Yes, but not on the extreme levels as I displayed. I do wanna point out that its really deceiving how they have a classic Sonic as their loading screen on the Sonic 4 website. This to me shows that Sega isn’t fully committed to a true throwback to the original games which game was originally intended to be. Even name the name Needlemouse invokes the idea of returning to the 90s idea and that is nowhere depicted on the character. Nonetheless, it would be a fair compromise if the classic Sonic is a DLC. If not, then oh well. Lets just hope the game itself doesn’t suck.
I made it perfectly clear that I was NOT the one who started this petition, I only supported it. Nothing more. Second, the issue was never focused on just the green eyes, its the character model itself. Cause in my fan film design, Sonic was a composite of both his classic and modern look. However, I did some thinking over the weekend and realize how ridiculous it was for me to rant about a character design. As long as the game play is good, thats all that matters.
Am I still disappointed how Sega essentially mislead people with false advertising for 6 months? Yes, but not on the extreme levels as I displayed. I do wanna point out that its really deceiving how they have a classic Sonic as their loading screen on the Sonic 4 website. This to me shows that Sega isn’t fully committed to a true throwback to the original games which this game was originally intended to be. Even the name Needlemouse invokes the idea of returning to the 90s idea and that is nowhere depicted on the character. Nonetheless, it would be a fair compromise if the classic Sonic is a DLC. If not, then oh well. Lets just hope the game itself doesn’t suck.
As much as I’d like a sprite-based Sonic in S4, it’s definitely not worth complaining about, especially not at the level of an online petition. The level graphics are designed to conform to the polygonal models, so it would just look out of place.
Say Sega really did listen to the petition and made a ‘classic Sonic’. Question is, what is ‘classic Sonic’? Sonic 1′s sprite, 2′s or 3′s? I personally think S3′s sprite is the best, so if for example Sega chose that, there’s no doubt you’d have a second petition for an ‘option’ >_> to change to Sonic 1′s model.
While we’re at it, let’s petition for the option for a classic HUD, and classic zone title cards, and using Sonic 1 or 3′s ‘Act Clear’ BGM! Face it, Sega’s going to make this game its own way, be it good or bad. There’s not much we can do about it except to an extent be grateful. We’re all going to download this game regardless, so Sega’s already got our money in its pocket, and at a business level that’s all it needs.
This is just sad, ’nuff said.
First off let me say that I am a “retro fan”, as well as just a plain ol sonic fan. I like both desigsns of sonic, but I do like his older one more. I’ve got my reasons besides simply growing up with the older one (cause actually, I grew up equally with both). If this game turns out to be like one of the Advance’s or a Rush (though it wont be cause there’s no boost and it’s supposed to play specifically like the genesis titles), then I’ll be alittle disappointed, but nothing bad and I’ll still enjoy the game.
When playing Advance or Rush, one of the things that always kept it seperated from the originals was indeed the look of sonic, though that was mostly with Advance, since it’s more obvious being a sprite like the classics. Did it make the game worse? NO. But it just didn’t feel the same: understand that this is a psychological thing. Even though sonic look varied throughout the classics, he still had a general design that was the same, like that mentioned by Blueblur above.
If old sonic ends up in the game, I’ll be psyched, and if not, I’ll still be extremely happy. Cause I’m not gonna nitpick with game–I mean, I consider it a near miracle that we’re even getting it. “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”, anyone?? Now I’m not baggin on anyone who does, but I know that if i set myself to hating certain aspects of the game, then I’m just setting myself up for disappointment and not enjoying the game when it comes out. Dont wanna do that.
So for me there are things that I’d like to see, just the same as with any game, but I’ll be happy with whatever i get, cause I’m sure sega has some great stuff planned.
What needs to be realized is that the past is the past. Classic Sonic happened, and it was great, but now, it’s time to MOVE ON and face the future instead of whining about the past. I don’t mind other’s opinions about what their favorite design of Sonic is, but this seems a bit overdone. I honestly feel sorry for Sonic Team. They’re bending over backwards to please us, and all we “ungrateful humans” do is bite the hand that feeds us.
not signing
I’m just happy there’s a Sonic 4.
Though, I do prefer the classic design.
I mean, after Sonic 3, there’d be no explanation for the sudden change in design. And there was nothing wrong with it that it ever needed the change in the first place.
So you want they should give Sonic a haircut and make his eyes black? Well, it’s not asking for a whole lot, really.
Here’s a thought. A stupid thought, but one nonetheless. MAYBE Sega foresaw this would happen! Notice that there’s still another character they haven’t announced on the site, but they said the only PLAYABLE CHARACTER IS SONIC. MAYBE, just maybe, they put in classic Sonic to shut up the kids who are going to bitch about it. Or not, you never know. Either way, people get the hell over it, their making a 2D Sonic game, be happy.
I tend to consider myself a Classic Sonic because I like the Genesis games a lot, but dumb petitons like this and rants like GREG’s make me ashamed to be grouped as a classic fan.
Then again, all that creepy fanart makes me ashamed to be a modern fan (despite liking Rush and Unleashed).
Where is the “Normal Sonic Fan” Section of the fandom?
it’s actually stupid about the eyes…I mean if you look at the video with his in-game model, you can hardly even make out if his eye is black or green. You could just imagine it’s black if black eyes gives you that much pleasure.
Since when Sonic’s design affects the gameplay? ><;
Shoot…it's Sonic, I love his games and always will.
I don't care he is has black eyes, green, red, yellow or whatever!
Just get over it, grow up and hush.
Don't want to? Quit the fandom.
Sega's already giving us something we asked for but complaining a tiny bit of detail that doesn't hurt us in the game play is just too pathetic, idiotic, stupid, and retarded…
The ones who whine that much makes me embarrassed to be part of the fandom…
This is ridiculous. Rather than being happy, or even at the very least, curious and reserving judgment on a game that’s not even released yet, someone has the damn gall to go out and make a petition based solely on the fact that they don’t like the aesthetics? Ridiculous. What the hell does his design have to do with how the damn game plays? Nothing. Ziltch. Nada. And this also comes from merely viewing 3-10 seconds of gameplay from the one and only trailer featuring it to date. I know that not everything relating to Sonic has been a hit, but this has to be the most piss poor excuse for a reason to gripe since…well, ever. This modern meets classic aesthetic isn’t something new either – remember New Super Mario Bros. Wii? I don’t remember a whole lot of people bitching about Nintendo not using classic NES sprites, and he’s been around for just as long.
Anyway, I’m rambling, but I am disgusted that certain fans have taken their obsession to a very immature level in such a short amount of time. The game might have been made to appeal to your nostalgic value but that doesn’t give you the right to sneer and bitch and moan because they met you half way in terms of design. Their target audience isn’t only just you, but to everyone – which does include and will always include children, which you all once were.
Get over yourselves.
So does that mean if Link was given a random white streak of hair 618 Nintendo fans would be like,”Yo, F this Shniz, man. I can’t play mah Zelda games like this. Yo, this a load, man, this a load.”
Well, I say, f*** those 618 25-year old Sonic fanboys. So sad.
I think i get where the petitioners are coming from. Not once have I seen a 3D Sonic model successfully replicate the original “sonic the hedgehog” game engine (yes, I’m looking at you too “sonic rush”). That’s not to say it can’t be done. Besides, the “Unleashed” model of Sonic looks a lot better than a short, tubby blue hedgehog. but honestly, I don’t care what appearance sega chooses, as long as it play’s like the original game (with a potential for infinite speed increase)! AND I WANT TO SEE THE SPIN DASH IN THIS GAME, or so help me, i’ll give up on Sonic!
@Soul gauge: cool, I hope that what you said was right
@Soul gauge: also, whats 3k? Sonic 3 and knuckles? I understand the CD one, thats a good game plus style for running”
Yup in a game, everything counts..
@Mike: lol that pic was f**king funny
ahahahahahaha!!! class drawings! ^.^
Who actually gives a shit what Sonic looks like nerds! As long as the game plays well and does’nt suck I’m happy. Although I do prefer modern Sonic over the old version.
OMG quit nitpicking & be happy that your even getting a Sonic game that isn’t an adventure, Rush or Advance game. Sega could just say you what forget it then go further & add some not so kind words after that. I loved sonic since he 1st came to be & like Mario his design has to change. I mean really Mario looks nothing like how he use to look & you know what I mean his pants use to be red, his shirt was blue & his eyes where black now His shirt is red, his pants are blue & his eyes are sky blue.
“■Kitty Nakajima on February 9th, 2010 10.48 pm
This is ridiculous. Rather than being happy, or even at the very least, curious and reserving judgment on a game that’s not even released yet, someone has the damn gall to go out and make a petition based solely on the fact that they don’t like the aesthetics? Ridiculous. What the hell does his design have to do with how the damn game plays? Nothing. Ziltch. Nada. And this also comes from merely viewing 3-10 seconds of gameplay from the one and only trailer featuring it to date. I know that not everything relating to Sonic has been a hit, but this has to be the most piss poor excuse for a reason to gripe since…well, ever. This modern meets classic aesthetic isn’t something new either – remember New Super Mario Bros. Wii? I don’t remember a whole lot of people bitching about Nintendo not using classic NES sprites, and he’s been around for just as long.
Anyway, I’m rambling, but I am disgusted that certain fans have taken their obsession to a very immature level in such a short amount of time. The game might have been made to appeal to your nostalgic value but that doesn’t give you the right to sneer and bitch and moan because they met you half way in terms of design. Their target audience isn’t only just you, but to everyone – which does include and will always include children, which you all once were. ”
Finally! There was no better way to say that. Thumbs up Kitty!
Sonic 4 check list
——————–
Classic looking backgrounds [X]…Check
Classic 2-D style look [X]…Check
Classic sound effects [X]…Check
Classic Sonic [ ]…Error Error Error….NOT FOUND!
Please make classic Sonic a playable character in Sonic 4!
Seriously? A DESIGN PETITION!?!? This is outrageos. I mean, you’re complaining about how Sonic LOOKS?? Gee, SonikDude101 was right, this is pathetic to complain about. This is worse than other stuff I’ve seen, such as TWO SECONDS of Gameplay in the trailor. I bet SEGA are laughing right now, at all of the pathetic little fanboys that want the game like it originally was. They get something they actually want, and they still whine about it, which is sad, really sad. You fanboys need to get a grip.